The List

by Sherri L. Lewis

Three friends--Michelle, Angela, and Lisa--tired of waiting on God to send them their soul mates, take matters into their own hands and, armed with a list of essential must-haves and deal-breakers, search for Mr. Right. Original.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction

300 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

Reviews

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book! :)

[Adrienna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sherri Lewis starts out with Michelle (Chelle), who is single and childless at thirty-five. There are many single, black, successful, smart women fall into this category. Yet, in Michelle's case, she was married once and ended up in divorce. Sad to say, no one wants to get married to a black Ken-like man, and turns out not to be the one. We have to be patient and wait on God to send the husband to us. However, it is easier said than done, to be celibate for nearly 4 years like Michelle, even longer for some of us single women, like Michelle’s dear friend Lisa for 9 years, but we need to remain in God's will. Then, we get shocked by Angela statement because she is a 41-year old virgin! She has never had sex, amen to that. We still have women holding on to the promises of God (not to have sex before marriage). Most of us engage in sex before marriage for various reasons, some of us want to know what all the hype is about, where curiosity destroyed the beauty of sex, the way God intended for it to be. It is bigger than us.

Vanessa, one of her friends, is married with two kids. Then, there is Angela and Lisa who are also waiting on God to send them a man--to enjoy the benefits of marriage. Angela is tested, while dating Gary (who states to be a godly man). Michelle does not appear interested with Jason, who is single, divorced, and has two kids. How can she judge, when she is single and divorced candidate too? Michelle and Jason remind me of the two main characters in “Daddy’s Little Girls” (movie) in Tyler Perry Productions. Vanessa seems like the civil one to keep the girls together through their singleness—motherly instincts and nurturing, as we see Nicole’s narcissism on relationships. Review all the women credentials and where you can fit in.

The List is a reality-check story where most women who are sexy-attractive, successful, saved and patiently waiting on God to supply their husbands. You can also call it a black-version of "Sex in the City" from a Christian perspective, and women struggling without sex for a period of time and imagining what their future-hubby will be like!

At one time, we all had a list, some of us still do, but God let me know the man He is sending to me, is not necessarily on my list. Therefore, I threw the list away many moons ago! Yet, I am still waiting. We do not need to test the goodies to make sure it is what we want. We have to fully trust God, for He will send the man who will supply all our needs.

Author Sherri Lewis leaves us hanging at the very end of the book as the main character, Michelle, dreams of her possible love relationship...does this mean a sequel?


Vanessa, one of her friends, is married with two kids. Then, there is Angela and Lisa who are also waiting on God to send them a man--to enjoy the benefits of marriage. Angela is tested, while dating Gary (who states to be a godly man). Michelle does not appear interested with Jason, who is single, divorced, and has two kids. How can she judge, when she is single and divorced candidate too? Michelle and Jason remind me of the two main characters in “Daddy’s Little Girls” (movie) in Tyler Perry Productions. Vanessa seems like the civil and keeping the girls together through their singleness—motherly instincts and nurturing, as we see Nicole’s narcissism on relationships. Review all the women credentials and where you can fit in.

The List is a reality-check story where most women who are sexy-attractive, successful, saved and patiently waiting on God to supply their husbands. You can also call it a black-version of "Sex in the City" from a Christian perspective, and women struggling without sex for a period of time and imagining what their future-hubby will be like!

At one time, we all had a list, some of us still do, but God let me know the man He is sending to me, is not necessarily on my list. Therefore, I threw the list away many moons ago! Yet, I am still waiting. We do not need to test the goodies to make sure it is what we want. We have to fully trust God, for He will send the man who will supply all our needs.

Author Sherri Lewis leaves us hanging at the very end of the book with the main character, Michelle, on dreams of her possible love relationship...does this mean a sequel?

[Tumelo Moleleki · Rating 2 out of 5]

1 star for no cuss words
1 star for making me want to see where this dance between Jason and Michelle would end up, although I already figured it was heading where it ended as that made me read and finish it faster that I might have if I hadn't wanted to see how the writer was going to prolong the inevitable
Half a star for making me doubt it's predictability by inserting Isaiah even though I could kind of tell he was not going to last after the second or third scene involving him
So I guess that 2.5
I did not like Michelle or any of her friends, they were kinda abrasive and pretentious as well as very hypocritical
Vanessa does not feature in any of the church scenes yet she is part of this friendship in God clique?
It feels like she was forgotten a lot in those scenes so we never get to see her worship side
I don't know that at 41 losing one's virginity could cause such an exaggerated response as shown by Angela
I never really felt Michelle's professed desperation and the way the situation between her and Jason got dragged out was the pits. It was just a story about them dancing circles around each other as if they didn't know they would end up doing the tango or whatever dance couples do, they were going through the motions is all.
Also, Rayshawn was vilified way too much and felt overly exaggerated as though the author did not want the reader to sympathise with her at all.

[Courtney 📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book!,

As a single woman (again)this book-it’s characters’ and in depth conversations- have given me a renewed outlook on trusting God for my husband. I must make a move, for as the word says “ faith without works is dead.”

[Dr. Chantell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

[Yourgirlko · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was definitely worth the read

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The List by Sherri Lewis is about a group of single Christian women who are in the dating world. They go on a journey to find the husband that God has for them. Some of the ladies end up finding their mate, but not the way they expected. The List is a quick read. I give it a 4/5 stars because I think they were too many characters and she did not get to talk about their full journey and what happened next with them. I wish the author would have spoke more about Vanessa (the widow) and Nicole (the man hater) . All in all this book is an eye opener because these ladies made these long lists of what they want and did not want in a husband. Some of the qualities they had on their list they did not possess themselves which is prevalent today. We want our husbands to be this and that, but yet we are not that ourselves. Marriage requires preparation. While you are waiting on God to bring you your husband, you should be preparing and getting ready

[African Americans on the Move Book Club · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sherri Lewis starts out with Michelle (Chelle), who is single and childless at thirty-five. There are many single, black, successful, smart women fall into this category. Yet, in Michelle's case, she was married once and ended up in divorce. Sad to say, no one wants to get married to a black Ken-like man, and turns out not to be the one. We have to be patient and wait on God to send the husband to us. However, it is easier said than done, to be celibate for nearly 4 years like Michelle, even longer for some of us single women, like Michelle’s dear friend Lisa for 9 years, but we need to remain in God's will. Then, we get shocked by Angela statement because she is a 41-year old virgin! She has never had sex, amen to that. We still have women holding on to the promises of God (not to have sex before marriage). Most of us engage in sex before marriage for various reasons, some of us want to know what all the hype is about, where curiosity destroyed the beauty of sex, the way God intended for it to be. It is bigger than us.

Vanessa, one of her friends, is married with two kids. Then, there is Angela and Lisa who are also waiting on God to send them a man--to enjoy the benefits of marriage. Angela is tested, while dating Gary (who states to be a godly man). Michelle does not appear interested with Jason, who is single, divorced, and has two kids. How can she judge, when she is single and divorced candidate too? Michelle and Jason remind me of the two main characters in “Daddy’s Little Girls” (movie) in Tyler Perry Productions. Vanessa seems like the civil one to keep the girls together through their singleness—motherly instincts and nurturing, as we see Nicole’s narcissism on relationships. Review all the women credentials and where you can fit in.

The List is a reality-check story where most women who are sexy-attractive, successful, saved and patiently waiting on God to supply their husbands. You can also call it a black-version of "Sex in the City" from a Christian perspective, and women struggling without sex for a period of time and imagining what their future-hubby will be like!

At one time, we all had a list, some of us still do, but God let me know the man He is sending to me, is not necessarily on my list. Therefore, I threw the list away many moons ago! Yet, I am still waiting. We do not need to test the goodies to make sure it is what we want. We have to fully trust God, for He will send the man who will supply all our needs.

Author Sherri Lewis leaves us hanging at the very end of the book as the main character, Michelle, dreams of her possible love relationship...does this mean a sequel?

Adrienna Turner
AAMBC Book Reviewer

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

About the book:

Single and satisfied? Not Michelle, Angela and Lisa. These saved but sexy, successful black women think they're getting too old to keep waiting on God to send their soul mates. Under the protective eye of their more spiritual sister-girlfriend, Vanessa, and the scrutiny of newly saved but still sarcastic manhater, Nicole, the ladies go on a hilarious adventure to "be found" by their husbands.

Armed with their list of essential must-haves, would-be-nices, icing-on-the-cakes, and deal-breakers, they start their search . . . but soon encounter issues specific to the saved woman on the dating scene. Is online dating okay for Christians? How long do you wait before you tell the hottie you just met that you're celibate and plan to stay so until married? He's too fine to pass up; how saved does he really need to be? And of course, how do you keep things holy when he's oh-so-sexy?

It's not long before they realize they still have to trust God to know what's best for them, and that He loves them enough to send them everything on The List.

My review:

The List is about four friends who are all too busy or timid to even think about dating. They have different backgrounds and experiences but they really care about each other and support one another. I found Michelle's story inspiring. It shows that sometimes when we are seeking God's will the answer is right under our noses. It also is a great illustration of how to seek God's best and actively seek the answer rather than waiting for God to send everything our way.

Filled with great advice as part of the storyline, The List could really help single ladies with careers who are desiring a husband and family. With plenty of humor and some tender moments, The List stirs hearts and makes the reader see how God wants to meet our needs...if only we'll let Him.

The List was published by Urban Christian and will be released in March 2009.

[Francoise Crowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Not only was it a good read but the situations, scenarios and various points of view made me reexamine situations and patterns of thought in my own life.

[Wyndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The girlfriends have decided that it's time they became actively involved in finding the right husband. They are over 30, career-minded, single, divorced, or widowed but all following Christian values. So, how do they go about finding the men? The book tells the story from Michelle's point of view. It is her story, her experiences, her feelings, her emotions but with input from her girlfriends and insights into their lives,their journey, and their dating disasters as well. I really liked this book. It was a good read, kept my attention right to the end. I had difficulties with some of the wording. I wasn't sure if it was poor proof-reading or ethnic differences. I am not accustomed to southern African-American wording. That being said, the story flowed easily with just the right about of background without losing the story line. Her view of God was such a relief from the usual staid versions in some other books, comic without being irreverent. For example she describes a situation she is in, thinks about her reaction, and envisions God and Jesus watching her and rolling their eyes asking each other what in the world she thinks shes doing. I like that down-to-earth relationship. This is definitely a good book and should be read by those wanting a good read as well as those who want some super ideas on what to look for while looking for a Godly husband.

[Janna Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. It is so real and true to life, I really like Sherri's writing style. This book is considered "Urban Fiction" and I don't quite understand that - it is a great Christian fiction book, I think by labeling it Urban that there are a lot of Christian fiction lovers that will never know that it is out there. Why do I like it so much?
Great characters. Here we have a group of ladies that get together once a week to hang out and support each other. The only thing is that right now they are all in need of a good, Christian man and they don't know how to find him. Thus, they make a list of what they are looking for in a man so God can send the right man to them. Does God really know best or can we help things along? Michelle is about to find out...
Wonderful humor and situations.

The one thing about Urban fiction is that there are some references that I don't totally understand... "red-boned" vs. "brown-skinned", hair style references and a couple other things, but does that impact what I get out of the book? Not at all! There is some great stuff in this book about how to get to where you need to be personally and spiritually so you are ready when God brings you your man. It is also enjoyable and I liked it so much that I read it in one day and really wish there was a sequel! This one is worth searching out, especially if you are single :-)

[Rita Reinhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmmm...Where do I start with reviewing this piece of fiction? It is not bad, but it is not good either...it moves extremely slow, especially in the beginning. Followed by even slower plots and situations. I get what the author is hoping to accomplish here, but it did not work for me...Just like Michelle, I am a single, African-American, female around the same age; trying to attract the exact same things, however, things don't move this slow in the dating scene. In fact, I am surprised this book never included some of the rules one has to know in order to play the "dating" game....Also, there never really was a "list" in this book...just mention of creating one. I'ont know...(lol @ my ghetto short-hand)...I didn't hate this book, but I didn't fall in love with it, and it took me quite a while to finish (typically an indicator of if I am vibing with a book). The longer it takes me to read, means I am not having a good time! lol

Oh yeah! I don't want to forget to mention that there were good conversations held in the book. Godly conversations that are always great to read, especially when you are going through a similiar situation. IT IS worth reading for the spiritual tid bits, but bare in mind, this book moves SUPAH SLOW!

[OOSA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prayers

Sherri Lewis' latest novel, THE LIST, introduces readers to Michelle, Lisa, Angela, Vanessa and Nicole. Although each woman is independent and saved they share a common missing link, a man. They've all been waiting and waiting and now, they don't know why their prayers haven't been answered. They decide to increase their odds by using the internet to compile THE LIST.

NEEDED: Single, God fearing, hard working men.

The friends have made a pact to date a new man every week until the search for Mr. Right has been completed. Will they be successful?

Sharp, witty and a service undertone, THE LIST is a joyful book that I'm recommending for all!


Reviewed by: Carmen

[Becca]

I'm kinda cheating by saying I read this. I read the first 175 pages then skimmed to the end. No real surprises here...or character development really. You have all the familiar archetypes of a 'girlfriends' story (career woman, single mom, divorcee, ain't-no-man-good-enough-but-i-want-one-anyway) and they pretty much stay that way. They're there so the plot has someone to toy with. And eventually everything works out...I think. Like I said, I kinda lost interest 3/4 of the way through but held just enough to not let this slip to the unfinished list.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took me a whole year to finish this book but it was worth it. I really had a good time reading this book. I laughed and could relate to some of the characters. The only problem I had with the book is that is could be slow at times and the ending. This kind of ending usually goes with a book that is going to have a follow up. I just feel like it left a lot of unanswered questions for the characters.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bravo! Although this book started of rather slowly, it picked up in chapter 3 taking me on an adventure that I am all too familiar with.

It was good to read Christian fiction that I identified with. In fact, I'm positive that any single woman, striving to live a life that's pleasing to Jesus Christ can identify with one of the characters; all of whom are navigating being saved and dating.

The pacing was good but the story was somewhat predictable. All in all, I enjoyed it.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!

Very easy to read. I could relate to Michelle's experiences and found myself agreeing with a lot of what she said and did. The book definitely made me think about my approach to dating and relationships and makes me think I need to change some things. Highly recommended!

[Brandis Pruitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me sitting up straight. As a divorced woman, with single friends, these ladies sounded like they had listened in on many of our conversations. Really enjoyed these characters and even the lessons I learned.

[Cassie Whitlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Can't believe I'm just now reading this book. Great life lessons. Very comical. The List was a great read. I look forward to binging on more of Sherri Lewis's book during the Christmas break.

[Cecelia]

Read my review here:
http://ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com/2009...

[Amanda Birdwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehhh.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't know that I would have picked this one out on my own, but read it for book club. It was so good & definitely worth the read. There are some really funny parts.

[Khaliah Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the current season of my life: real, humorous, and on point with regards to relationships, love, and loving yourself! Will re-read it soon!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny and enjoyable

[Tonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well dang! He was there all along. God will work it out!

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. Such a happy ending for Michelle. Great summer reading material.